Yamuna inches towards danger mark, people evacuated

Yamuna inches towards danger mark in Haryana

With Haryana releasing over eight lakh cusecs of water, the Yamuna inched towards the danger mark on Thursday, threatening to flood the nearby low lying areas, even as Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said all measures have been taken to deal with the "serious" situation.

Flood Control Department officials said the water from Haryana will reach Delhi by Friday evening and the Yamuna water level may even raise upto 207 metres, crossing the danger mark of 204.83 metres.

The water level in the river rose 204.73 metres on Thursday afternoon from 204.52 metres in the morning. This came following Haryana releasing 6.60 lakh cusec water yesterday and 2.13 lakh cusecs.

Low lying areas have been evacuated

"The Delhi government is taking all precautionary measuress to deal with the situation. Almost over 90 per cent people living in the low lying areas have already been shifted to safer places. We are ready for any kind of situation," the chief minister said.

Although Haryana released around eight lakh cusecs of water in last two days, Dikshit said only 3.5 lakh cusecs is expected to reach Delhi. Asked whether the situation is a matter of serious concern, she said "yes" but was quick to add that concerned authorities were fully prepared to deal with the situation.

Apprehending a possible flood-like situation due to the rising water level, the Delhi government has asked people living in low-lying areas near the river to shift to safer places.

Image: A submerged hut in Asmanpur village, located along the banks of the YamunaPhotographs: Sahim Salim

Booster pumps have been placed along the river banks

After a high level meeting to review the situation, Flood Control Minister Raj Kumar Chouhan said over 100 booster pumps were fitted along the banks of the river to pump out water which may enter the low-lying areas.

He said the government has already set up large number of camps to provide shelter to the people. "All the measures in place and there is nothing to worry," he said. Last month too, the Yamuna water level was above the danger level for several days, prompting authorities to shift a large number of people to relief camps.

Image: Local residents travel on a buffalo cart through a flooded road in New DelhiPhotographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters